GITNUXREPORT 2026

Salt Industry Statistics

Asia leads global salt production while chemical industries drive most consumption worldwide.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

55% of salt used in chemical manufacturing for caustic soda and chlorine globally in 2023.

Statistic 2

25% of salt consumption worldwide for road de-icing in winter climates, 2022 data.

Statistic 3

Table salt represents 5-7% of total salt use, primarily sodium chloride for seasoning.

Statistic 4

15% of salt used in water treatment for softening and purification in households and industry.

Statistic 5

Salt in food processing preserves 40% of meat products via curing.

Statistic 6

Animal nutrition uses 2% of salt production for livestock minerals, 3 million tons annually.

Statistic 7

Pharmaceutical grade salt used in IV solutions totals 500,000 tons yearly.

Statistic 8

Pool salt chlorinators consume 2.5 million tons for residential pools globally.

Statistic 9

Textile industry uses 4 million tons of salt for dyeing processes each year.

Statistic 10

Baking industry requires 1.8 million tons of fine salt for dough control.

Statistic 11

Oil drilling fluids incorporate 10 million tons of salt as weighting agents.

Statistic 12

Leather tanning uses 1.2 million tons of salt for preservation.

Statistic 13

70% of chlorine production relies on salt electrolysis via chlor-alkali process.

Statistic 14

Sea salt in cosmetics and bath products totals 300,000 tons market.

Statistic 15

Fermentation processes in brewing and cheese-making use 800,000 tons salt.

Statistic 16

Global consumption of salt reached 315 million metric tons in 2023.

Statistic 17

The US consumed 50 million metric tons of salt in 2022, with 40% for de-icing.

Statistic 18

China’s salt consumption was 75 million metric tons in 2023, driven by chemical industries.

Statistic 19

Europe consumed 55 million metric tons of salt in 2022, 25% for food processing.

Statistic 20

India used 32 million metric tons of salt in 2023, 60% for industrial purposes.

Statistic 21

Japan’s per capita salt consumption was 10.5 kg in 2022.

Statistic 22

Global food-grade salt consumption was 40 million metric tons in 2023.

Statistic 23

US highway de-icing salt use was 20 million metric tons in winter 2022-2023.

Statistic 24

Water softening salt consumption in Europe reached 8 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 25

Chemical industry salt use globally was 180 million metric tons in 2023 for caustic soda production.

Statistic 26

Australia consumed 13 million metric tons of salt in 2022, 70% industrial.

Statistic 27

Brazil’s salt consumption for food was 1.5 million metric tons in 2023.

Statistic 28

UK household salt use averaged 6 kg per capita in 2022.

Statistic 29

Global table salt market consumption grew 1.8% to 12 million metric tons in 2023.

Statistic 30

Mexico used 11 million metric tons of salt in 2022, half for chlor-alkali.

Statistic 31

Per capita salt consumption in the Netherlands was 9.2 kg in 2023.

Statistic 32

Animal feed salt use worldwide was 5 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 33

India’s chemical sector consumed 18 million metric tons of salt in 2023.

Statistic 34

US food processing salt demand was 15 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 35

Germany’s de-icing salt consumption peaked at 5.2 million metric tons in 2022-2023 winter.

Statistic 36

Global salt for pool chlorination was 3 million metric tons in 2023.

Statistic 37

China’s table salt consumption was 8 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 38

Global salt market size was valued at $28 billion in 2023.

Statistic 39

The industrial salt segment held 55% market share in 2022 globally.

Statistic 40

US salt market revenue reached $4.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 41

Asia-Pacific salt market grew at 4.2% CAGR from 2018-2023.

Statistic 42

Table salt market projected to reach $15 billion by 2030.

Statistic 43

China salt industry revenue was $10.5 billion in 2022.

Statistic 44

Global rock salt market size was $5.8 billion in 2023.

Statistic 45

Evaporated salt prices averaged $65 per metric ton in 2022.

Statistic 46

Solar salt production costs $20-30 per ton in Australia, 2023 data.

Statistic 47

US de-icing salt prices rose 15% to $55/ton in 2022-2023.

Statistic 48

India salt market valued at $2.1 billion in 2023.

Statistic 49

Global sea salt market expected to grow to $3.2 billion by 2028.

Statistic 50

Vacuum salt segment CAGR 3.5% through 2030.

Statistic 51

Europe salt market share 18% of global in 2022.

Statistic 52

Chemical-grade salt demand drove 60% of market growth in 2023.

Statistic 53

Lake salt wholesale price $45/ton average in 2022.

Statistic 54

Brazil salt industry employed 15,000 workers in 2023, contributing $500 million GDP.

Statistic 55

Global salt production costs averaged $35 per metric ton in 2023.

Statistic 56

Food-grade salt accounted for 12% of global market value in 2022 at $3.4 billion.

Statistic 57

In 2023, global salt production totaled 320 million metric tons, with Asia accounting for 58% of the total output.

Statistic 58

China produced 72 million metric tons of salt in 2022, representing 23% of global production.

Statistic 59

The United States salt production reached 42 million metric tons in 2023, primarily from underground mining in Louisiana and Texas.

Statistic 60

India’s salt production was 31 million metric tons in 2022, mostly from solar evaporation in Gujarat.

Statistic 61

Germany produced 14 million metric tons of salt in 2023, with 70% from rock salt mining.

Statistic 62

Australia’s salt output hit 12 million metric tons in 2022, led by solar salt from Western Australia.

Statistic 63

Mexico produced 10 million metric tons of salt in 2023, with major operations in Baja California.

Statistic 64

The Netherlands extracted 8.5 million metric tons of salt in 2022 via solution mining.

Statistic 65

Brazil’s salt production was 7.2 million metric tons in 2023, mainly sea salt from Rio Grande do Norte.

Statistic 66

The UK produced 6 million metric tons of salt in 2022, with Cheshire being the largest rock salt producer.

Statistic 67

In 2022, vacuum evaporated salt production globally reached 45 million metric tons, used mainly for food.

Statistic 68

Solar salt production worldwide was 220 million metric tons in 2023, comprising 69% of total output.

Statistic 69

Rock salt mining output globally stood at 45 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 70

Solution mining for salt produced 30 million metric tons in 2023 across Europe and North America.

Statistic 71

Lake salt production from the Dead Sea reached 1.2 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 72

China’s solar salt production was 60 million metric tons in 2023, from coastal pans.

Statistic 73

US solar salt from San Francisco Bay totaled 2.5 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 74

India’s vacuum salt plants produced 2 million metric tons in 2023.

Statistic 75

Poland’s rock salt output was 4.5 million metric tons in 2022 from Kłodawa mine.

Statistic 76

Japan produced 1.2 million metric tons of sea salt in 2023 using traditional methods.

Statistic 77

Global salt production grew by 2.5% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 310 million metric tons.

Statistic 78

Evaporated salt production in the US was 18 million metric tons in 2023.

Statistic 79

Turkey’s salt production hit 9 million metric tons in 2022, mostly lake salt from Tuz Gölü.

Statistic 80

Canada mined 9.5 million metric tons of salt in 2023 from Goderich mine.

Statistic 81

Egypt produced 2.8 million metric tons of solar salt in 2022.

Statistic 82

World salt exports totaled 65 million metric tons in 2023.

Statistic 83

The Netherlands exported 8.2 million metric tons of salt in 2022, 95% evaporated salt.

Statistic 84

Australia was the top salt exporter with 11 million metric tons shipped in 2023.

Statistic 85

US salt exports reached 5.5 million metric tons in 2022, mainly to Mexico and Canada.

Statistic 86

India exported 3.8 million metric tons of salt in 2023, primarily solar salt to Southeast Asia.

Statistic 87

Mexico exported 7 million metric tons of sea salt in 2022 to the US.

Statistic 88

Germany’s salt imports were 4.1 million metric tons in 2023.

Statistic 89

China imported 1.2 million metric tons of high-purity salt in 2022 for pharma.

Statistic 90

UAE salt re-exports totaled 4.5 million metric tons in 2023 from Dubai ports.

Statistic 91

Brazil exported 2.1 million metric tons of salt in 2022 to Europe.

Statistic 92

UK imported 1.8 million metric tons of industrial salt in 2023.

Statistic 93

Global salt trade value was $12.5 billion in 2022.

Statistic 94

Turkey exported 2.5 million metric tons of lake salt in 2023.

Statistic 95

Canada’s salt exports to the US were 4 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 96

Egypt salt exports grew to 1.5 million metric tons in 2023.

Statistic 97

Japan imported 5.8 million metric tons of salt in 2022 for food use.

Statistic 98

Poland exported 3.2 million metric tons of rock salt in 2023.

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Picture a humble grain smaller than your fingertip, yet harvested worldwide in staggering mountains of over 320 million metric tons annually; this is the massive, hidden foundation of modern industry and daily life.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, global salt production totaled 320 million metric tons, with Asia accounting for 58% of the total output.
China produced 72 million metric tons of salt in 2022, representing 23% of global production.
The United States salt production reached 42 million metric tons in 2023, primarily from underground mining in Louisiana and Texas.
Global consumption of salt reached 315 million metric tons in 2023.
The US consumed 50 million metric tons of salt in 2022, with 40% for de-icing.
China’s salt consumption was 75 million metric tons in 2023, driven by chemical industries.
World salt exports totaled 65 million metric tons in 2023.
The Netherlands exported 8.2 million metric tons of salt in 2022, 95% evaporated salt.
Australia was the top salt exporter with 11 million metric tons shipped in 2023.
Global salt market size was valued at $28 billion in 2023.
The industrial salt segment held 55% market share in 2022 globally.
US salt market revenue reached $4.2 billion in 2023.
55% of salt used in chemical manufacturing for caustic soda and chlorine globally in 2023.
25% of salt consumption worldwide for road de-icing in winter climates, 2022 data.
Table salt represents 5-7% of total salt use, primarily sodium chloride for seasoning.

Asia leads global salt production while chemical industries drive most consumption worldwide.

Applications and Uses Statistics

55% of salt used in chemical manufacturing for caustic soda and chlorine globally in 2023.
25% of salt consumption worldwide for road de-icing in winter climates, 2022 data.
Table salt represents 5-7% of total salt use, primarily sodium chloride for seasoning.
15% of salt used in water treatment for softening and purification in households and industry.
Salt in food processing preserves 40% of meat products via curing.
Animal nutrition uses 2% of salt production for livestock minerals, 3 million tons annually.
Pharmaceutical grade salt used in IV solutions totals 500,000 tons yearly.
Pool salt chlorinators consume 2.5 million tons for residential pools globally.
Textile industry uses 4 million tons of salt for dyeing processes each year.
Baking industry requires 1.8 million tons of fine salt for dough control.
Oil drilling fluids incorporate 10 million tons of salt as weighting agents.
Leather tanning uses 1.2 million tons of salt for preservation.
70% of chlorine production relies on salt electrolysis via chlor-alkali process.
Sea salt in cosmetics and bath products totals 300,000 tons market.
Fermentation processes in brewing and cheese-making use 800,000 tons salt.

Applications and Uses Statistics Interpretation

While we sprinkle a mere 5-7% on our fries, the other 93% of salt is busy holding the modern world together, from purifying our water and curing our bacon to drilling for oil and dyeing our jeans.

Consumption Statistics

Global consumption of salt reached 315 million metric tons in 2023.
The US consumed 50 million metric tons of salt in 2022, with 40% for de-icing.
China’s salt consumption was 75 million metric tons in 2023, driven by chemical industries.
Europe consumed 55 million metric tons of salt in 2022, 25% for food processing.
India used 32 million metric tons of salt in 2023, 60% for industrial purposes.
Japan’s per capita salt consumption was 10.5 kg in 2022.
Global food-grade salt consumption was 40 million metric tons in 2023.
US highway de-icing salt use was 20 million metric tons in winter 2022-2023.
Water softening salt consumption in Europe reached 8 million metric tons in 2022.
Chemical industry salt use globally was 180 million metric tons in 2023 for caustic soda production.
Australia consumed 13 million metric tons of salt in 2022, 70% industrial.
Brazil’s salt consumption for food was 1.5 million metric tons in 2023.
UK household salt use averaged 6 kg per capita in 2022.
Global table salt market consumption grew 1.8% to 12 million metric tons in 2023.
Mexico used 11 million metric tons of salt in 2022, half for chlor-alkali.
Per capita salt consumption in the Netherlands was 9.2 kg in 2023.
Animal feed salt use worldwide was 5 million metric tons in 2022.
India’s chemical sector consumed 18 million metric tons of salt in 2023.
US food processing salt demand was 15 million metric tons in 2022.
Germany’s de-icing salt consumption peaked at 5.2 million metric tons in 2022-2023 winter.
Global salt for pool chlorination was 3 million metric tons in 2023.
China’s table salt consumption was 8 million metric tons in 2022.

Consumption Statistics Interpretation

While the world's industries thirstily guzzle salt for chemicals and de-icing roads, we at the dinner table are but a modest pinch in the global shaker, reminding us that our seasoning habits are dwarfed by our industrial appetite.

Market and Economic Statistics

Global salt market size was valued at $28 billion in 2023.
The industrial salt segment held 55% market share in 2022 globally.
US salt market revenue reached $4.2 billion in 2023.
Asia-Pacific salt market grew at 4.2% CAGR from 2018-2023.
Table salt market projected to reach $15 billion by 2030.
China salt industry revenue was $10.5 billion in 2022.
Global rock salt market size was $5.8 billion in 2023.
Evaporated salt prices averaged $65 per metric ton in 2022.
Solar salt production costs $20-30 per ton in Australia, 2023 data.
US de-icing salt prices rose 15% to $55/ton in 2022-2023.
India salt market valued at $2.1 billion in 2023.
Global sea salt market expected to grow to $3.2 billion by 2028.
Vacuum salt segment CAGR 3.5% through 2030.
Europe salt market share 18% of global in 2022.
Chemical-grade salt demand drove 60% of market growth in 2023.
Lake salt wholesale price $45/ton average in 2022.
Brazil salt industry employed 15,000 workers in 2023, contributing $500 million GDP.
Global salt production costs averaged $35 per metric ton in 2023.
Food-grade salt accounted for 12% of global market value in 2022 at $3.4 billion.

Market and Economic Statistics Interpretation

While the world fusses over the gourmet pinch on our tables, the real money—and the relentless industrial grind—is in the chemical-grade bulk that quietly fuels everything from plastics to de-iced roads, proving that salt’s true value is far less about flavor and far more about function.

Production Statistics

In 2023, global salt production totaled 320 million metric tons, with Asia accounting for 58% of the total output.
China produced 72 million metric tons of salt in 2022, representing 23% of global production.
The United States salt production reached 42 million metric tons in 2023, primarily from underground mining in Louisiana and Texas.
India’s salt production was 31 million metric tons in 2022, mostly from solar evaporation in Gujarat.
Germany produced 14 million metric tons of salt in 2023, with 70% from rock salt mining.
Australia’s salt output hit 12 million metric tons in 2022, led by solar salt from Western Australia.
Mexico produced 10 million metric tons of salt in 2023, with major operations in Baja California.
The Netherlands extracted 8.5 million metric tons of salt in 2022 via solution mining.
Brazil’s salt production was 7.2 million metric tons in 2023, mainly sea salt from Rio Grande do Norte.
The UK produced 6 million metric tons of salt in 2022, with Cheshire being the largest rock salt producer.
In 2022, vacuum evaporated salt production globally reached 45 million metric tons, used mainly for food.
Solar salt production worldwide was 220 million metric tons in 2023, comprising 69% of total output.
Rock salt mining output globally stood at 45 million metric tons in 2022.
Solution mining for salt produced 30 million metric tons in 2023 across Europe and North America.
Lake salt production from the Dead Sea reached 1.2 million metric tons in 2022.
China’s solar salt production was 60 million metric tons in 2023, from coastal pans.
US solar salt from San Francisco Bay totaled 2.5 million metric tons in 2022.
India’s vacuum salt plants produced 2 million metric tons in 2023.
Poland’s rock salt output was 4.5 million metric tons in 2022 from Kłodawa mine.
Japan produced 1.2 million metric tons of sea salt in 2023 using traditional methods.
Global salt production grew by 2.5% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 310 million metric tons.
Evaporated salt production in the US was 18 million metric tons in 2023.
Turkey’s salt production hit 9 million metric tons in 2022, mostly lake salt from Tuz Gölü.
Canada mined 9.5 million metric tons of salt in 2023 from Goderich mine.
Egypt produced 2.8 million metric tons of solar salt in 2022.

Production Statistics Interpretation

The world is clearly taking the phrase "worth your salt" quite literally, with China alone seasoning nearly a quarter of the global supply through massive solar operations, while Europe and North America prefer to dissolve and extract their share from deep underground.

Trade and Export Statistics

World salt exports totaled 65 million metric tons in 2023.
The Netherlands exported 8.2 million metric tons of salt in 2022, 95% evaporated salt.
Australia was the top salt exporter with 11 million metric tons shipped in 2023.
US salt exports reached 5.5 million metric tons in 2022, mainly to Mexico and Canada.
India exported 3.8 million metric tons of salt in 2023, primarily solar salt to Southeast Asia.
Mexico exported 7 million metric tons of sea salt in 2022 to the US.
Germany’s salt imports were 4.1 million metric tons in 2023.
China imported 1.2 million metric tons of high-purity salt in 2022 for pharma.
UAE salt re-exports totaled 4.5 million metric tons in 2023 from Dubai ports.
Brazil exported 2.1 million metric tons of salt in 2022 to Europe.
UK imported 1.8 million metric tons of industrial salt in 2023.
Global salt trade value was $12.5 billion in 2022.
Turkey exported 2.5 million metric tons of lake salt in 2023.
Canada’s salt exports to the US were 4 million metric tons in 2022.
Egypt salt exports grew to 1.5 million metric tons in 2023.
Japan imported 5.8 million metric tons of salt in 2022 for food use.
Poland exported 3.2 million metric tons of rock salt in 2023.

Trade and Export Statistics Interpretation

While Australia rightfully claims the crown as the world's top salt shaker by volume, the real flavor of the global trade lies in the Netherlands' precision-evaporated crystals, Mexico's sea-salt river flowing north, and the UAE's savvy re-export hub, proving that even in a commodity market worth $12.5 billion, it's not just about quantity but the specific grain and destination.

Sources & References

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